Thirteen Dead in Thousand Oaks Mass Shooting

Authorities Thursday identified the alleged gunman who opened fire in the Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks as university students, including from Pepperdine, drank and danced — an attack that left 13 people dead, including the suspect and a Ventura County sheriff’s sergeant, and around a score of others wounded.

In a news conference about 7 a.m., Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean identified the alleged shooter as Ian David Long, 28, who lived in the area, and he said Long was armed with a single Glock handgun that had an “extended magazine” that would allow it to hold more than the standard number of 10 bullets that a magazine would hold.

Long, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, is believed to have killed himself, Dean said, adding that a motive for the crime was not known. Law enforcement officials from several agencies, including the FBI, were going through the house in the Ventura County community of Newbury Park, where Long lived with his mother.

Long had been visited by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office’s mental health team, CBS2 reported. Neighbors told ABC7 Long was a veteran who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. A machine-gunner, he served in the Marine Corps from 2008 to 2011, including a tour in Afghanistan.

Pepperdine officials said several students from the university were in the bar, and they’re working to identify and provide those students support, according to a statement from the Malibu-based university. It was unclear if any of those killed or wounded were students at the school.

The university said it was in contact with appropriate governmental agencies and would provide updates as information became available.

Classes at the school will take place as scheduled Thursday, but students were encouraged to adjust their schedules if they were affected by the shooting, according to a statement from the school. A prayer service for the campus community is scheduled for Thursday at noon in Smothers Theatre.

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Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore, in a television news interview Thursday morning, said he spoke with Dean in the aftermath of the shooting.

“I spoke last night in the early morning hours with the sheriff, a tremendous man, a person who had great composure, whose men and women responded immediately, as did the CHP, and fire, and other first responders to really render aid and to do everything possible to stop this horrific attack,” Moore said.

“I congratulate the Ventura Sheriff’s (department), the FBI, the ATF, the joint efforts,” Moore said. “They are doing everything possible to understand the nature of this gunman’s actions and what would motivate a person to do such a horrific level of violence.”

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, in a Tweet, said: “Three off-duty @LAPDHQ officers were present at the shooting in #ThousandOaks but are thankfully uninjured. They assisted in evacuation & treatment on-scene. City flags will be at half-mast today in honor of victims, including @VENTURASHERIFF Sgt. Ron Helus who died a hero.”

Garcetti earlier Tweeted: “Our hearts break for @CityofTO and @VENTURASHERIFF for last night’s tragedy. @LAFD sent 5 engineer companies and a battalion chief to help at the request of our neighbors and we stand ready to help in any way you need. Wrapping our arms of love around you.”

Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Ralph Terrazas, in a Tweet, said: “Your @LAFD sends condolences to @VENTURASHERIFF & family & friends who lost loved ones in last night’s tragedy. We stand ready to assist in any way necessary.”

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, in a Tweet, said: “The #LASD stands with all of #ThousandOaks in full support and mourning for all those affected by this senseless shooting. We grieve alongside the @VENTURASHERIFF who lost a brave public servant in Sergeant Ron Helus. He gave his life to save others.”

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department, in a Tweet, said: “Our thoughts & prayers go out to all who have suffered a loss as a result of the incident in Thousand Oaks. Sergeant Helus was killed in the line of duty running into the #Borderline Bar to stop the shooter. Our condolences to @VENTURASHERIFF as they mourn the loss of a hero.”

Also tweeting about the massacre were the Los Angeles Rams: “The Los Angeles Rams organization is heartbroken by the horrific shooting that took place last night in our community of Thousand Oaks. Our thoughts are prayers are with the victims, their families and our entire community.”

Ventura County officials established a Family Assistance Center at 1375 E. Janss Road in Thousand Oaks and released an emergency hotline number that people can call: (805) 465-6650.

The Ventura County sheriff’s department received multiple 911 calls around 11:20 p.m. Wednesday of shots fired at the bar and arrived, along with California Highway Patrol officers, three minutes later.

A sheriff’s sergeant and CHP officer made their way into the establishment and the sergeant was shot multiple times and was pulled to safety by the officer, according to Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean.

The sergeant was identified as 59-year-old Ron Helus, a 29-year-veteran of the department who was looking to retire next year, said Dean, who called Helus a friend and gym workout partner.

“Ron was a hard-working, dedicated sheriff’s sergeant,” Dean said. “He died a hero because he went in to save other people.”

At 10 a.m. a procession of law enforcement and first responders will escort Helus’ body from the Los Robles Regional Medical Center in Thousand Oaks to the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office in Ventura, according to Capt. Garo Kuredjian.

Authorities found the suspect down with a gunshot wound, but it was unclear if he took his own life or was killed by law enforcement, Dean said. A handgun was recovered at the scene.

At least 23 people were injured in the incident and have sought treatment at various hospitals in Ventura and Los Angeles counties. Most suffered minor injuries, Ventura County Fire Department Capt. Brian McGrath told CBS2.

Witnesses told stories of people inside the bar using chairs to break windows and help others escape the shooting.

Crews from the Los Angeles city and county fire departments provided support to Ventura County firefighters at the scene. County fire crews that responded were later cleared and released, according to a county fire dispatcher.

Thirteen Dead in Thousand Oaks Mass Shooting was last modified: November 8th, 2018 by Contributing Editor